Comcast Adds Netflix Programming to Its Watchathon Promo

As April looms closer, many binge watchers with Comcast’s Xfinity TV service are starting to think about the company’s Watchathon Week, and how they can cram in the most views of shows and movies that they may not usually have access to but have heard about around the water cooler. This is the fifth year Comcast has offered the promo, and the new wrinkle this year is one-click access for the week to Netflix for Xfinity X1 subscribers − even if they don’t have a Netflix password. It’s another indicator that Comcast and Netflix, which have had serious differences and public battles in the past, are continuing to cozy up.

Comcast reports that Xfinity TV customers watched more than 70 million hours across Xfinity On Demand platforms in 2016. That was a 10 percent increase over the prior year and inclusive of a 40 percent increase in viewing across mobile devices, according to the operator.

"With more than 50 participating networks and the addition of Netflix, we are thrilled to bring Xfinity TV customers the biggest and best binge-watching event for the fifth year in a row," Andy Hunter, VP, programming at Comcast Cable, says. "The focus of Xfinity Watchathon Week is to provide complete, unlimited access to the best programming and give our customers the ability to sample, binge, and explore everything our content partners have to offer."

Last November, the Netflix service launched on millions of X1 devices across the United States wherein X1 subscribers with Netflix passwords became able to browse and access Netflix content alongside the live, on-demand, DVR, and web programming included with their Xfinity TV subscription. More on that is here.

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